Small-scale mining operations in the hinterlands of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, could be a “well-planned disguise for large-scale minerals exploration,” the town’s mayor said.
Dumingag Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga said this was his conviction after he was offered P2 million in support of mining in Barangay Licabang.
The offer, made by some men who visited him about six months ago, allegedly came from mining companies.
Pacalioga would not identify the men and said the mining company’s name was also not revealed to him.
“I am not aware which companies they worked for,” he said.
“Although I am fully aware our hinterland communities have been eyed long before by mining interests,” Pacalioga added.
Pacalioga said he told the men he could not do what they wanted and that it was up to residents of the town to decide if they would approve of mining or not.
Pacalioga said it was obvious that mining goes on without permits because of the continuing trade in mining sludge.
Sludge was basically mine waste but he said these were being sent to processing plants.
Last month, the local police seized a truck hauling 260 sacks of sludge owned by Nieves Enojo, wife of Chief Insp. Prudencio Enojo Jr., deputy chief of the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Western Mindanao.
Pacalioga said Enojo interceded for the release of the seized cargo. He said the cargo was seized because it had no transport permit.
Interviewed by phone, Enojo said his wife buys the sludge from a consolidator based in Licabang, and in turn sells these to a Chinese buyer based in nearby Mahayag town.
“The entire set of activities resulting from mining is part of a deliberate scheme to prospect for minerals in the town,” Pacalioga said.